Flat top container with extendable pour spout



Aug. 30, 1966 E. L. BUMP 3,

FLAT TOP CONTAINER WITH EXTENDABLE POUR SPOUT Filed Aug. 9, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

33 EDWARD L. BUMP BY WM ORNEYS E. L. BUMP Aug. 30, 1966 FLAT TOP CONTAINER WITH EXTENDABLE POUR SPOUT 7 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Aug. 9, 1965 m N E V m EDWARD L BUMP TORNEYS Aug. 30, 1966 E. BUMP 3,269,644

FLAT TOP CONTAINER WITH EXTENDABLE POUR SPOUT Filed Aug. 9, 1965 7 $heets $heet 3 INVENTOR.

EDWARD L. BUMP Aug. 30, 1966 E. BUMP FLAT TOP CONTAINER WITH EXTENDABLE POUR SPOUT Filed Aug. 9, 1965 '7 Sheets$heet 4 INVENTOR.

EDWARD L. BUMP A TORNEYS E. L. BUMP Aug. 30, 1966 FLAT TOP CONTAINER WITH EXTENDABLE POUR SPOUT 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 9, 1965 INVENTOR. EDWARD L. BUMP Aug. 30, 1966 E. L. BUMP 3,269,644

FLAT TOP CONTAINER WITH EXTENDABLE POUR SPOUT Filed Aug. 9, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

EDWARD L. BUMP I I 1 syywjflm ATTORNEY E. L. BUMP Aug. 30, 1966 FLAT TOP CONTAINER WITH EXTENDABLE POUR SPOUT Filed Aug. 9, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR.

EDWARD L. BUMP United States Patent 3,269,644 FLAT T01 CGNTAINER WITH EXTENDAELE PGUR SPQUT Edward L. Bump, Madison, Wis., assignor to Industrial Research and Deveiopment Corp, Madison, Wis, a

corporation of Wisconsin Filed Aug. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 479,697 13 Claims. (Cl. 22966) This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier application Ser. No. 407,352, filed October 29, 1964, now abandoned.

This invention relates to containers, and more particularly to containers made from paperboard or the like for storing and dispensing pourable materials.

It is a primary object of my invention to provide a container made from a single piece of material and having a substantially fiat top and an extendable pour spout.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a container having a spout section which is adapted to be sealed against the container in substantially flush relation to provide a substantially rectangular container to facilitate the economical stacking of a plurality of said containers during shipment and storage.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a container made from a single piece of paperboard material or the like which requires a minimum amount of such material for a given volume container.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide an extendable pour spout for a substantially rectangular container which may be easily extended for pouring and which includes means for closing the container after a portion of its contents have been dispensed to substantially prevent environmental odors and moisture from entering the container.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a resealable pour spout for a container which is adapted to dispense flowable materials, and which may be closed to substantially prevent environmental odors and moisture from entering the container.

It is an additional object of my invention to provide a container having a fiat top and an extendable pour spout which is easily opened and extended to provide a sanitary surface for the material in the container to pour over.

Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the principles of the invention has been selected for exemplification, together with a modified form thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sealed container of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 taken from a rearwardly direction after the spout section has been pivoted to a substantially vertical position in the process of opening and extending the spout.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of my container with the spout extended and open for pouring.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of my container with the spout section closed after a portion of its contents has been removed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified container of my invention wherein the spout section is sealed flush against the front side wall of the container.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 5 with the spout section open for pouring, which view is taken from an elevation lower than the container.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a blank of paperboard material or the like which may be assembled to form my container.

3,269,644 Patented August 30, 1966 "ice FIG. 8 is a partial top plan view of a portion of a strip of material showing how blanks for my containers may be cut in nesting relation to conserve material.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a modified blank of paperboard material or the like which may be assembled into a modified form of my container.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of my container with a mandrel inserted into the top section to facilitate sealing thereof.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified form of my container with the top flaps folded down over the supporting mandrel.

FIG. 12 is a view from the bottom of a modified form of my container as shown in FIG. 11 with the supporting mandrel removed.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modified form of my container wherein the spout section is sealed flush against the front panel sections of the container.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, my flat-top container 9 is seen to have a body 10 with a front side panel 11, a left side panel 12 extending from the front panel 11 in perpendicular relation, a rear side panel 13 extending from the side panel 12 substantially parallel to the front panel 11, a right side panel 14, extending between the front and real panels 11 and 13 and parallel to the left side panel 12, a top section 15 extending from the left side, right side and rear panels 12, 14 and 13, respectively, in perpendicular relation, a spout section 16 extending from the front panel 11 and the top section 15, and a bottom section 17 secured to the body panels substantially parallel to the top section 15.

When the container 9 is in the sealed position of FIG. 1 the spout section 16 is sealed flush against the top section 15 to provide a substantially fiat surface and facilitate economical stacking during shipment and storage. When the container spout section 16 is opened and extended to the pouring position shown in FIG. 3, as will be described more fully below, it provides a sanitary pour spout for dispensing pourable material from the container 9. When a portion of the contents of the container has been dispensed therefrom and it is desired to preserve the remainder of the contents within the container, the end portion 18 of spout section 16 may be pivoted to the closed position illustrated in FIG. 4. In the closed position, the end portion 18 is held substantially flush against the base portion 19 of the spout section 16 by the top section 15, as shown, to close the container and substantially prevent the entry therein of undesirable environmental odors or moisture.

Looking at my container 9 in more detail, it is obvious that the body 10 may be of any substantially rectangular cross section and height, depending upon the nature and volume of the material to be contained. For illustrative purposes only, the embodiment shown in the drawings and described herein is substantially cubical in shape. Further, the body 10 may be constructed of coated or uncoated paperboard, plastic or other synthetic sheeting material, as desired.

The bottom section 17 of my container 9 may be designed and assembled in any conventional manner. The unassembled bottom section 17 which forms the lower portion of the container blank 8 shown in FIG. 7 may be substantially similar to that employed in the container described in my earlier application Ser. No. 346,180, filed February 20, 1964, now Patent No. 3,175,750. However, the bottom section 17 may be of any known construction.

The body panels 11, 12, 13 and 14, top section 15 and spout section 16 of my container may best be described by referring first to the flat container blank 8 shown in FIG. 7. The blank 8 is seen to contain a plurality of scorelines arranged to define the desired panels and connected elements of the container 9. The spaced scorelines 30, 31, 32 and 33 extend in parallel relation to partially define in the midsection of the blank 8 the right side panel 14, front panel 11, left side panel 12, rear panel 13, and partial panel or glue flap 39 which extends the entire vertical height of the blank 8. The lower ends of said panels are defined by score line 59 which intersects score lines 30, 31, 32 and 33 at right angles near the lower end of the blank 8. The several flaps of the bottom section 17 are connected to the panels 14, 11, 12 and 13 and glue flap 39 along score line 59. The upper ends of the panels 14, 11, 12 and 13 are defined, respectively, by score lines 27, 35, 26 and 36, which intersect one or more of score lines 30, 31, 32 and 33 at right angles.

The top section 15 preferably includes a firsttransverse flap 20, a second transverse flap 21, and an end flap 22. The substantially rectangular transverse flaps and 21 extend from left and right side panels 12 and 14, respectively, and are respectively connected thereto along score lines 26 and 27. The first transverse flap 20 has a score line 28 which extends diagonally thereacross from the point of intersection of score lines 26 and 32 to score line 31 at a point near the edge of first transverse flap 20. The second transverse flap 21 has a score line 29 which extends diagonally thereacross from the point of intersection of score line 27 and the edge 34 of the container blank 8, to score line at a point near the edge of the second transverse flap 21. The first and second transverse flaps 20 and 21 also have short diagonal score lines 28a and 29a. Score line 28a extends from the point of intersection of score lines 28 and 31 to the edge of the transverse flap 21. Score line 29:: extends from the point of intersection of score lines 29 and 30 to the edge of the transverse flap 21. The angle formed between score lines 28 and 31 is equal to the angle between score lines 29 and 30. Similarly, the angle between diagonal score lines 28 and 28a is equal to the angle between diagonal score lines 29 and 29a. The short diagonal score lines 28a and 29a are adapted to coincide with diagonal score lines 29 and 28, respectively, when the container 9 is assembled, to permit bending of flaps 20 and 21 along the diagonal score lines when pouring material from the container 9.

The end flap 22 of the container top section 15 has a tongue portion 23 and a pair of triangular portions 24 and 25 connected thereto along score lines 2411 and 25a, respectively. The tongue portion 23 is connected to the rear panel 13 along score line 36, and preferably extends beyond the score lines 24a and 25a for a short distance, as shown. Triangular portion 24 is additionally connected to the first transverse flap 20 along score line 32, and triangular portion 25 is connected to the glue flap 39 along score line 33.

The spout section 16 has a base portion 19 and an end portion 18, as previously described. The base portion 19 preferably includes a first substantially trapezoidal section 40 connected to the front panel 11 along score line 35, and a second section comprising a pair of triangular sections 41 and 42. The left triangular section 41 is connected to the first transverse flap 20 along score line 31, and the right triangular section 42 is connected to the second transverse flap 21 along score line 36. The triangular sections 41 and 42 are also connected to the trapezoidal sections 40 along score lines 43 and 44, respectively. A left sealing tab 45 extends from the left triangular section 41 and the first transverse flap 20, and is detachably connected thereto along perforated line 47. Similarly, a corresponding right sealing tab 46 extends from the right triangular section 42 and the second transverse flap 21, and is detachably connected thereto along perforated line 48. Sealing tabs 45 and 46 have abutting ends 49 and 50, respectively, which are substantially perpendicular to score lines 30 and 31, and which are substantially aligned with the intersecting ends of score lines 29 and 29a, and 28 and 28a, as shown. The sealing tabs 45 and 46 also have side edges 51 and 52, respectively, which extend from the adjoining triangular sections 41 and 42 substantially parallel to score lines 30 and 31. The. side edges 51 and 52 are shown-preferably extending from the approximate midpoints of the adjoining sides of triangular sections 41 and 42, respectively, but they may extend from any point along said adjoining sides as desired, depending on the width of the sealing tabs 45 and 46.

The end portion 18 of the spout section 16 preferably includes an outer section 53, a corresponding inner section 54, and a tongue section 55. The outer section 53 is connected to the base portions trapezoidal section 40 along score line 56. The inner section 54 is substantially the same shape as the outer section 53, and is pivotally connected thereto along score line 57. The tongue section 55 is connected to the inner section along score line 58. A center score line 37 extends from the end of the tongue section 55 through the inner section 54, outer section 53, trapezoidal section 40 and front section 11 to a point near the bottom of the front section, substantially bisecting the sections and panel as shown. Lower score lines 38 and 33a preferably extend diagonally downward from the termination of the center score lines to the intersection points of score lines 31, and 59, and 30 and 59, respectively.

Assembly of the blank 8 into the container 9 is preferably instituted by folding the spout end portion along score line 57 to place the inner section 54 and connected tongue section 55 fiat against the inner surface of the outer section 53 and trapezoidal section 40, respectively. The tongue section 55 is then sealed against the trapezoidal section to retain the folded position. The next assembly step consists of folding the blank fiat along score lines 30 and 32, and securing the inside surfaces of the left side panel 14 and the connected second transverse flap 21 and bottom section 17 to the glue flap 39 along its entire length. When so secured, the edge 34 of the blank 8 should lie substantially along score line 33. The securement of the panel 14 and connected flaps to the glue flap 39, as well as all other securing operations necessary to the assembly of my container, may be achieved by gluing, heat sealing or any other suitable means. If it is necessary to ship the container blank 8, it may preferably be shipped while in the completely flat position shown in FIG. 7, the position wherein the tongue section 55 has been sealed against the trapezoidal section 40, or after the blank has been folded flat and partially secured as described above.

The blank 8 is next folded along score lines 31 and 33 to form a tubular body 10 of substantially rectangular cross section. The bottom section 17 may then be assembled and sealed as described in my above-identified copending application or according to any other known methods in substantially perpendicular relation to the body panels. The container may be filled with the material to be contained therein at this stage in the assembly, if desired.

Assembly of the top section 15 is commenced by folding the end flap 22 inwardly along score line 36. Simultaneously, the end flap triangular portions 24 and 25 are folded outwardly from the end flap tongue portion 23 along score lines 24a and 25a, respectively, and inwardly from the first transverse flap 20 and the glue flap 39 and second transverse flap 21 secured thereto, respectively, along score lines 32 and 33. At the opposite end of the top section 15, the trapezoidal section 40 of the spout section 16 is folded outwardly from the front panel .11 along score line 35, and the triangular sections 41 and 42 are folded inwardly along score lines 43 and 44, respectively, to permit the first and second transverse flaps 2t) and 21 to be folded inwardly along score lines 26 and 27. The transverse flaps 20 and 21 are then folded inwardly to an overlapping position substantially perpendicular to the container body panels 11, 12, 13 and 14. Either flap or 21 may overlap the other, as desired. Assuming that the second transverse flap 2-1 overlaps the first transverse flap 20, the end of the first-flap 20 should preferably extend a short distance between the second flap 21 and the connected end flap triangular portion 25. The end flap tongue portion 23 should then be secured to the overlapping flaps 20 and 21 and connected triangular portions 24 and 25 in fluid-tight relation. At the same time, the overlapping portions of the first and second transverse flaps 20 and 21 should be sealed along their entire overlapping lengths, such that the diagonal score lines '29 and 29a of flap 21 overlie score lines 28a and 28, respectively, of flap 20, and ends 49 and 50 of the sealing tabs 45 and 46 are in edge to edge abutment. If desired, the container may be filled at this stage of the assembly by inserting a filler tube between the trapezoidal section 40 and sealing tabs 45 and 45 into the interior of the container 9.

The sealing tabs 45 and 46 are then sealed against the trapezoidal section 48 of the spout base portion 19, such that the side edges 51 and 52 of the sealing tabs 45 and 46 are substantially in abutment with the end of the tongue section 55. Preferably, the edges of triangular sections 41 and 42 are also sealed to the trapezoidal section 40 in abutment with the sides of the tongue section 55 to completely seal the spout section 16. Assembly of the container 9 is completed by folding the sealed spout section 15 inwardly along score lines 30, 31 and 35 to the position shown in FIG. 1, and sealing the spout section 16 flat against the top section 15 of the container 9. The spout section 16 is preferably sealed flat against the top section 15 along the length of score line 58, and along a line extending from each end of score line 58 to score lines and 31, respectively.

The container 9 may be opened by simply lifting and pivoting the spout section 16 upwardly from the position of FIG. 1 to the extended position of FIG. 2, and pressing outwardly on the sealing tabs 45 and 46 to detach the sealing tabs from the triangular sections 41 and 42 and flaps 20 and 21 along perforated lines 4 7 and 48. Lifting and pivoting the spout section 16 to the position of FIG. 2 is preferably facilitated by initially sealing the spout section 16 to the top section 15 such that spout end portion 18 may be grasped with the fingers at score line 57. Once so grasped, the end portion 18 and attached base portion 19 of the spout section 16 may be pivoted upwardly as described, thereby breaking the seal securing the spout section 16 flat against the top section 15. The sealing tabs 45 and 4 6 will remain sealed to the inner surface of the spout trapezoidal section 40 after being detached along perforated lines 47 and 48, as described. The spout section 15 is then adapted for pouring the contents from the container simply by squeezing the side panels 12 and 14 together slightly near the spout section 116. When the side panels 112 and 14 are so squeezed, the top section 15 will bend upwardly along score lines 26-, and 27 to an apex at the intersection of diagonal score lines 28 and 29, as shown in FIG. 3. The top section 15 will bend along the diagonal score lines 28, 28a, 29 and 29a to permit such upward bending. Simultaneously, the front panel 11 and the spout trapezoidal section and end portion 18 extending therefrom will bend outwardly along center score line 37 to provide a spout opening 61 and a substantially V-shaped pouring surface 51 over which the material in the container 9 is poured. The pouring surface 51 may include the front panel 11 and spout trapezoidal section 40, tongue section 55 and inner section 54. Or where sanitation is important, the outer and inner sections 53 and 54 of the spout end portion 18 may be folded outwardly and downwardly along score lines 56 and 58 to a position below score lines 56 and 58, as shown in FIG. 3, prior to squeezing the side panels 12 and 14 together. The outer and inner sections 53 and 54 will then be maintained below the score lines 56 and 58 during pouring, and the pouring surface 61 will include only the front panel 11, and spout trapezoidal section and tongue section. Such a reduced pouring surface 61 will normally be more sanitary as it is smaller and more protected.

When a portion of the contents has been poured from the container and it is desired to preserve the remainder of the contents in the container, the outer and inner sections 53 and '54 of the spout end portion 18 are simply pivoted about the score lines 56 and 58 and past the intersection of score lines 29 and 29a on the top section 15 to the closed position shown in FIG. 4. The outer and inner sections 53 and 54 will be retained in the illustrated closed position by the top section 15 at the intersection of score lines 29 and 29a, as shown. Once bent for pouring, the diagonal score lines 29, 29a, 28 and 28a will not return to a completely flat position except under pressure, and this characteristic is utilized to retain the container in the closed position until the top section 15 is depressed to release the outer and inner sections 53 and 54 and permit the container spout section 15 to again be opened for pouring. Since, in the closed position, the inner section 54 is held flush against the triangular sections 41 and 42 and sealing tabs 45 and 46 by the engagement of the top section 15 against the outer section 53, substantially no moisture or odorcarrying air will enter the container during storage, and the contents of the container will remain fresh for a considerable length of time. If the material from which the container 9 is constructed is itself substantially moisture-proof, it will be possible to eliminate the inner wax bag commonly employed in paperboard containers for dry materials such as cereal, without impairing the quality of freshness of the dry materials contained therein.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a modification in use, if not in structure, of my invention. If desired, my invention may be adapted for use as a front-pouring container 63, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The construction of the container 63 is the same as that of FIGS. 1-4, and it can be constructed from a blank 8 of the type illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The only difference between the container 9 of FIGS. 1-4 and container 63 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is that the rear wall panel 13 of container 9 faces downwardly in container 63, the top section 15 of container 9 faces forwardly in container 63, the front panel 11 of container 9 faces upwardly in container 63, and the bottom section 17 of container 9 faces rearwardly in container 63. The spout section 16 of container 63 is initially sealed against the forwardly facing top section 15 as shown in FIG. 5, and opens upwardly to the extended position shown in FIG. 6 for pouring. The edges of triangular section 41, transverse pouring flap 20, transverse flap 21 and triangular section 42, which are defined by perforated lines 47 and 48, combine to form a pouring edge 64 for the forwardly facing spout opening 60. Thus it is seen that my invention may be utilized to provide a forwardly opening spout or an upwardly opening spout simply by orienting the container to the desired pouring position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further advantage of the construction of my invention. In FIG. 8 it is seen that blanks 8 for my container may be cut from a strip of material 62 in nesting relation. Thus, the end portion 18 of each spout section 16 may be cut from the material adjacent the tongue portion 23 of the end flap 22, which would otherwise be wasted. In effect, therefore, no more material is required from a cost standpoint for the top section 15 and extendable spout section '16 of my container 9 than is required for the simple bottom section 17 of the container.

FIGS. 9-13 illustrate a modified container 100. As shown in FIG. 9, the blank 101 from which container is formed, is divided by scorelines 102-105 into body panels including rear panel 105, side panels 107 and 108, and .a pair of front panel sections 109 and 110 which are designed to be adhered together in overlapping relation to form the front panel of container 100. Front panel sections 109 and 110 have diagonally disposed scorelines 111 and 1112, respectively, which meet at their upper ends when sections 109 and 110 are adhered together in the desired overlapping relation. Front panel section 109 has an oblique cut edge 113 which is designed to lie along diagonal scoreline 112 and front panel section 110 has oblique cut edge 114 which is designed to lie along diagonal scoreline 111 when sections 9 and 110 are adhered together in overlapping relation.

The lower ends of panels and panel sections 106-110 are defined by scorelines 115019, respectively, which intersect scorelines 102405 at right angles near the lower end of blank 101. The several flaps of bottom section 120 are connected to panels 106, 107, 108, and front panel sections 109 and 110 along scorelines 115-119. The bottom section 120 of blank 101 is similar to the bottom section of blank 8 shown in FIG. 7, but it is understood that it may be of any known leak-proof construction. The upper ends of panels and panel sections 1061'10 are defined respectively by scorelines 121-125 which intersect one or more of scorelines 102-105 at right angles. A portion of front panel section 109 is defined by line of perforation 126 and a portion of front panel section 110 is defined by line of perforation 127. The top section 128 of container blank 101 preferably has a first transverse flap 129, a second transverse flap 130 and an end flap 131. First transverse flap 129 is substantially rectangular and is defined by scorelines 123, 132, and 133. First transverse flap 129 has a diagonally disposed scoreline 134 extending thereacross. Second transverse flap 130 is also substantially rectangular and is defined by scorelines 122, 135, and 136 and has a width greater than half the width of rear panel 106 so that first transverse flap 129 and second transverse flap 130 may be adhered together in overlapping relation during assembly of the container. Second transverse flap 130 has a diagonally disposed scoreline 137 extending thereacross, and a shorter diagonally disposed scoreline 138 which is adapted to be aligned with scoreline 134 when the flaps 1 29 and 130 are adhered together. Diagonally disposed scorelines 134 and 137 are designed to substantially meet when the container is assembled.

The end flap 13 1 of container top section 128 has a tongue portion 131a and a pair of triangular portions 1311) and 1310 connected thereto along scorelines 139 and 140. The tongue portion 131a is connected to the rear panel 106 along scoreline 121 and preferably extends beyond the scorelines 139 and 140, as shown. T riangular portion 1310 is also connected to first transverse fiap 129 along scoreline 132 and triangular portion 13111 is connected to second transverse fiap 130 along scoreline 136.

The spout section 141 has a left section 142 and a right section 143. Left spout section 142 is divided into first and second sections by diagonally disposed scoreline 144. The first section has a quadrangular section 145 defined by scorelines 135, 144 and 146 and an opening tab portion 147 connected to quadrangular section 145 along scoreline 146. Left section 142 has a scoreline 148 which is adapted to be aligned with the edge 149 of right spout section 143 when the container is assembled. The second section of left spout section 142 comprises a triangular section 150 defined by scorelines 124 and 144 and line of perforation 151. Triangular section 150 is connected to quadrangular section 145 along scoreline 144 and to front panel 109 along scoreline 124. A detachable sealing tab 153 is connected to triangular section 150 along line of perforation 151 and to front panel 109 along line of perforation 126.

Right spout section 143 is divided into first and second sections by diagonally disposed scoreline 154. The first section of right hand spout section 143 has a quadrangular section 155 defined by scorelines 133, 154, and 156 and an opening tab portion 157 is connected to quadrangular section 155 along the scoreline 156. Opening tab portion 157 is adapted to be adhered in overlapping relation to opening tab portion 147 when the container is assembled. Right spout section 143 has a triangular section 158 defined by scorelines 125 and 154 and line of perforation 159. Triangular sections 158 is connected to quadrangular section 155 along scoreline 154 and to front panel section along scoreline 125. A sealing tab 161 is connected to triangular section 158 along line of perforation 159 and to front panel section 110 along line of perforation 12'7. Sealing tab 161 has an extension portion 161a defined by scoreline 162 and which is adapted to be adhered to sealing tab 153 in overlapping relation when the container is assembled and sealed. A small wedge shaped sealing section 163 is connected to extension portion 161a along scoreline 164 and to front panel section 110 along scoreline 165.

The bank 101 is first cut, scored and perforated as shown by the manufacturer. The manufacturer then preferably forms the blank 101 into a flat glued shell for shipping as follows: Front panel sect-ion 109 is folded 180 about scoreline 102 so as to overlie the inner surface of side panel 107. This causes the left spout section 141 which is attached to front panel section 109 to be swung 180 about scoreline 135 to overlie second transverse flap 130 and causes that portion of the bottom section which is attached to front panel section 109 to be folded 180 over onto the adjacent portion of the bottom section. Side panel 108 and front panel section 110, together with the top, bottom and spout sections connected thereto, are then folded 180 about scoreline 104 and the inner surface of front panel section 110 is adhered in overlapping relation to the outer surface of front panel section 109 to form the front panel of the containers. Those portions of the bottom section connected to front panel sections 109 and 110 and which are overlapping are also sealed together. Wedge shaped sealing section 163 is sealed to front panel section 109 and the extension portion 161a is sealed in overlapping relation to sealing tab portion 153. The blank 101 is now in a fiat shell. form for shipping to the product packager who then forms, fills and seals the container.

The fiat shell may be formed into a container by first squaring the shell about scorelines 102-105. The bottom section 120 may then be assembled and sealed as hereinbefore mentioned in connection with the first embodiment of my container, or according to any other known methods in substantially perpendicular relation to the body panels. The container 100 may then be filled through the open top with the material to be contained therein.

After the container 100 has been filled, the top is closed and sealed by inserting a supporting mandrel 166 into the open top section of the container 100 as shown in FIG. 10. Tongue section 131a is then folded inwardly about scoreline 121 to overlie mandrel 166. Triangular sections 1312) and 1310 are, thus, caused to be folded inwardly about scorelines 136 and 132, respectively, to overlie tongue portion 131a. Since first and second transverse flaps 129 and 130 are connected to triangular portions 1310 and 13112, respectively, the transverse flaps 129 and 130 will be brought down into overlapping position over the supporting mandrel 166. Preferably, transverse flap 130 is folded under the overlying transverse flap 129, The left and right spout sections 142 and 143 are folded outwardly about scorelines 124 and 144-, and scorelines and 154, respectively, as shown in FIG. 11. By supplying heat and pressure to the top of the carton, over the supporting mandrel 166, tongue portion 131a is sealed to the overlying transverse flaps 129 and and these transverse flaps are sealed together in overlapping relation. Also, the overlapping areas of quadrangular sections and 155, and the overlapping areas of opening tab portions 147 and 157 are sealed together.

While container 100 is described herein as being heat 9 sealed, it is understood that it may be sealed by gluing or any other suitable means.

The mandrel 166 is then withdrawn and the container 100 is in the partially sealed condition shown in the bottom view of FIG. 12.

The container 100 is then sealed in liquid-tight relation by adhering sealing tabs 153 and 161 to the inner surface of quadrangular portions 145 and 155, respectively, as shown in FIG. 12. This sealing should extend slightly across the lines of perforation 151 and 159 into the adjoining triangular sections 150 and 158, respectively. This seals the container in liquid-tight condition.

The entire spout section is then folded downwardly about scorelines 124 and 125 and scorelines 135 and 133 which are in substantial alignment therewith, to overlie the outer surface of front panel sections 109 and 110. The opening tab portions 147 and 157 are then sealed to front panel sections 109 and 110. The container 100 is then completely closed and sealed.

Container 100 may be opened and reclosed in the same manner as containers 9 and 63 described hereinbefore and may be used either like container 9 or like container 63 as discussed hereinbefore.

While, for purposes of conciseness and clarity, I have selected several embodiments of my invention for exemplification and description, it is obvious that many other modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the principles of my invention. For example, the dimensions of my container may be altered to provide a volume of from onehalf pint to a gallon, or more. My container may typically have a substantially square cross section when designed to hold liquids, such as milk, and it may have a rectangular cross section when designed to hold dry materials, such as cereals. Such variations in the volume and cross sectional dimensions of the container will necessarily change the relative sizes and shapes of the elements of my invention without, however, departing from the principles thereof.

Looking again at FIG. 7, score lines 27, 35, 26 and 36 may be substantially in alignment, or line 35 may be slightly above and line 36 may be slightly below lines 26 and 27, as shown, to facilitate bending the blank 8 as described. Likewise, scoreline 59 may be substantially straight, as shown, or those portions of scoreline 59 partially defining side panels 12 and 14 may be displaced slightly below the remainder of the line to facilitate bending the blank 8. Blank 101 may be similarly modified without departing from my invention.

It is therefore understood that my invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims,

I claim:

1. A flat-top container of paperboard material or the like with an extendable pour spout comprising:

(a) a tubular body having a plurality of connected side panels,

(b) a bottom section connected to said panels,

(c) a top section connected to all but one of said panels in closed relation,

(d) a spout section having a first section pivotably connected to the remaining one of said panels and a second section pivotably connected to said top section,

(e) said second section having at least one detachable sealing tab,

(f) said sealing tab being sealed to said first section,

(g) said spout section being sealed substantially flush against said top section to substantially prevent communication between the interior of said container and the atmosphere,

(h) said spout section being pivotable to an extended V 10 position, thereby breaking the seal between said spout section and said top section, and

(i) said sealing tab being detachable from said second section to permit said first and second sections to be partially separated to provide a spout opening for said container.

2. The invention described in claim 1 wherein the spout section includes an end portion connected to and extending from the first section, said end portion being pivotable to a position flush against the second section, when the spout section is in its extended position, to substantially close the container, and wherein the top section includes means for engaging and maintaining said end portion against said second section.

3. The invention described in claim 1 wherein a center score line extends through the spout section and said one panel to bisect said section and panel, and wherein a plurality of score lines extend across the top section, said score lines permitting said one panel and said top section to extend outwardly when the side panels connected to said one panel are squeezed together, thereby increasing the area of the spout opening.

4. The invention described in claim 1 wherein the spout second section comprises a pair of triangular sections, each of which is pivotably connected along one side to the top section and along a second side to the spout first section, and wherein a sealing tab is detachably connected to the third side of each of said triangular sections, said sealing tabs being secured to said first section in substantially abutting relation.

5. An extendable pour spout for a flat-top container having a plurality of side panels, a top section and a bottom section, said spout comprising:

(a) a first section pivotably connected to one of said side panels of said container,

(b) a second section pivotably connected to said top section of said container,

(c) said second section having at least one detachable sealing tab sealed to said first section,

(d) said spout section being sealed substantially flush against said top section to substantially prevent communication between the interior of the container and the atmosphere,

(c) said spout section being pivotable to an extended position, thereby breaking the seal between said spout section and said top section, and

(f) said sealing tab being detachable from said second section to permit said first and second sections to be partially separated to provide a spout opening for said container.

6. The invention described in claim 5 wherein the first section of the spout is bisected by a scoreline, said scoreline permitting said first section to extend outwardly when pressure is exerted inwardly against the side panels of the container adjacent the side panel to which said spout first section is connected, thereby increasing the area of the spout opening,

7. The invention described in claim 5 wherein the second section comprises a pair of triangular sections, each of which is pivotably connected along one side to the top section and along a second side to the first section, and wherein a sealing tab is detachably connected to the third side of each of said triangular sections, said sealing tabs being secured to said first section in substantially abutting relation.

8. The invention described in claim 5 wherein the spout includes an end portion extending from the first section, said end portion being pivotable to a position flush against the second section when the spout is in an extended position to substantially close the container, said end portion including means for engagement by the container top section to maintain said end portion against said second section.

9. An extendable pour spout for a flat-top container having a plurality of side panels, a top section and a bottom section, said spout comprising:

(a) a first section pivotably connected to said top section of said container,

(b) a second section pivotably connected to one of said side panels of said container,

() said second section having at least one detachable sealing tab sealed to said first section,

((1) said spout section being sealed substantially flush against said one side panel to substantially prevent communication between the interior of the container and the atmosphere,

(e) said spout section being pivotable to an extended position, thereby breaking the seal between said spout section and said one side panel, and

(f) said sealing tab being detachable from said second section to permit said first and second sections to be partially separated to provide a spout opening for said container.

10. A blank of paperboard material or the like adapted for assembly into a substantially flat top container having an extendable spout section, said blank comprising:

(a) a plurality of intersecting scorelines defining a plurality of panels, a bottom section, a top section and a spout section,

(b) said top section having an end flap and a pair of transverse flaps,

(c) said end flap being connected to one of said panels along one of said score lines and to at least one of said transverse flaps along other of said score lines,

(d) each of said transverse flaps being connected to other of said panels along other of said score lines,

(e) said end flap and said transverse flaps being adapted to be pivoted about said connecting scorelines and be sealed together in overlapping relation to form the top section of said container,

(f) said spout section having a first section and a second section,

(g) said second section including at least one triangular section and at least one sealing tab,

(h) said triangular section being connected to said spout first section along a scoreline,

(i) said sealing tab being detachably connected along a line of weakness to said triangular section, and (j) said sealing tab being adapted to be sealed against said first section during assembly of said container, and said spout section being adapted to be sealed in a position flush against said container.

11. A blank of paperboard material or the like adapted for assembly into a substantially flat top container having an extendable spout section, said blank comprising:

(a) a plurality of intersecting scorelines defining four side panels, a bottom section, a top section, a spout section, and a glue flap,

(b) said top section having an end flap and a pair of transverse flaps,

(c) said end flap being connected to one of said side panels along one of said scorelines, and to one of said transverse flaps and to said glue flap along other of said scorelines,

(d) each of aid transverse flaps being connected to other said panels along other of said scorelines,

(e) said end flap and said transverse flaps being adapted to be pivoted about said connecting scorelines and be sealed together in overlapping relation to form the top section of said container,

(f) said spout section having a first section connected along another said scoreline to a fourth side panel 12 located between said panels to which said transverse flaps are connected, and having a second section,

(g) said second section including a pair of triangular sections and a pair of sealing tabs,

(h) each of said triangular sections being connected to said spout first section and one of said transverse flaps along other of said scorelines,

(i) each of said sealing tabs being detachably connected along a line of weakness to one of said triangular sections and the transverse flap to which said one triangular section is connected,

(j) said sealing tabs being adapted to be sealed against said first section during assembly of said container, and

(k) said spout section being pivotable to a position flush against said top section when said top section flaps are sealed together in overlapping relation.

12. The invention described in claim 11 wherein a spout end portion is connected to the spout first section, said end portion having an outer section pivotably connected to said first section along a scoreline and an inner section pivotably connected to said outer section along another scoreline, said inner section being adapted to be sealed flush against said outer section.

13. A blank of paperboard material or the like adapted for assembly into a substantially fiat top container having an extendable spout ection, said blank comprising:

(a) a plurality of intersecting scorelines defining a rear panel, a pair of side panels, a pair of front panel sections, a bottom section, a top section,

(b) said top section having an end flap and a pair of transverse flaps,

(c) said end flap being connected to said rear panel along one of said scorelines, and to said transverse flaps along other of said scorelines,

(d) each of said transverse flaps being connected to one of said side panels along other of said scorelines,

(e) said end flap and said transverse flaps being adapted to be pivoted about said connecting score lines .and be sealed together in overlapping relation to form the top section of said container,

(f) left and right spout sections connected to said front panel sections,

(g) each of said left and right spout sections having a triangular section, a sealing tab, and a quadrangular section,

(h) each of said triangular sections being connected to one of said quadrangilar sections and to one of said front panel sections along other of said scorelines,

(i) each of said sealing tabs being detachably connected along a line of weakness to one of said triangular sections,

(j) said sealing tabs being adapted to be sealed against said quadrangular sections during assembly of said container, and

(k) said spout sections being adapted to be pivoted to a position flush against said front panel sections and sealed thereto during assembly of said container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,833,675 11/1931 Geinier 22966 3,064,873 11/1962 Robinson et a1. 22917 3,107,839 10/1963 Kaufield 229-17 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FLAT-TOP CONTAINER OF PAPERBOARD MATERIAL OR THE LIKE WITH AN EXTENDABLE POUR SPOUT COMPRISING: (A) A TUBULAR BODY HAVING A PLURALITY OF CONNECTED SIDE PANELS, (B) A BOTTOM SECTION CONNECTED TO SAID PANELS, (C) A TOP SECTION CONNECTED TO ALL BUT ONE OF SAID PANELS IN CLOSED RELATION, (D) A SPOUT SECTION HAVING A FIRST SECTION PIVOTABLY CONNECTED TO THE REMAINING ONE OF SAID PANELS AND A SECOND SECTION PIVOTABLY CONNECTED TO SAID TOP SECTION, (E) SAID SECOND SECTION HAVING AT LEAST ONE DETACHABLE SEALING TAB, (F) SEAL SEALING TAB BEING SEALED TO SAID FIRST SECTION, (G) SAID SPOUT SECTION BEING SEALED SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH AGAINST SAID TOP SECTION TO SUBSTANTIALLY PREVENT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE INTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER AND THE ATMOSPHERE, (H) SAID SPOUT SECTION BEING PIVOTABLE TO AN EXTENDED POSITION, THEREBY BREAKING THE SEAL BETWEEN SAID SPOUT SECTION AND SAID TOP SECTION, AND (I) SAID SEALING TAB BEING DETACHABLE FROM SAID SECOND SECTION TO PERMIT SAID FIRST AND SECOND SECTIONS TO BE PARTIALLY SEPARATED TO PROVIDE A SPOUT OPENING FOR SAID CHAMBER. 